Graduates Will Learn A Language

By: Breanna Ostrander

“Everyone can learn a language,” states Michelle Cotnior, a French teacher at Hopkinton High School. Cotnior is all for the new requirements for a modern language. As of the new 2010 school year, students in 9th grade at Hopkinton High School are now required to take two years of a language. A choice of French, Spanish and German is offered. There are many different opinions about this new graduating requirement. Many of the teachers think that having a second language is not only important for college résumés, but also to get a bigger picture of the world outside of the United States. Leanne Hassett, Hopkinton High School Spanish teacher, confirmed, “A world language is a wonderful thing to have, but it can also be a challenge.” There are many students who find languages to be a challenge and drop out, but this is now not option for freshman.

When asked, many students believe that it should be their choice whether they take a modern language or not. Now that it is forced upon them, they feel as if it will not be an enjoyable experience. There is one possible way to get out of the language you are taking; but that is by taking the next available language that is offered. Every year, Hopkinton High School switched the offered language for students from French to Spanish. Therefore, if you are in Spanish and next year Spanish is being offered, there is no way to get out of taking Spanish. This has aggravated students, who believe if they want to try a different language they should be able to.

For those who are now required to take a language, there are a few tips on being successful with your studies. “Study everyday. Practice using the Internet or listening to the language,” Cotnior believes that taking a head on approach will give great rewards. From those students in higher levels on a modern language, they will also agree that studying everyday is an important skill to master. One student gave the recommendation of studying in little segments of time instead of cramming the night before because that is how more information is retained. “If you don’t have any bricks, you cannot build a house,” stated Hassett when asked about studying habits and vocabulary usage. Students need to be able to identify the best way for them to study and utilize that knowledge. An anonymous source gave a few words of encouragement stating that “Success isn’t just a grade on a test, but how you feel about what you’ve learned, and how you continue to use that information.”